Long Beach Digital Inclusion Roadmap
Pueblo Studio partnered with the City of Long Beach to co-create a Digital Inclusion Roadmap with community members and local Community-Based Organizations (CBOs). The project began with in-person gatherings, but when the COVID-19 pandemic emerged mid-process, Pueblo Studio quickly pivoted to socially distanced one-on-one interviews and phone outreach. This shift not only ensured safety but also revealed deeper insight into how the digital divide affected families who already faced barriers such as unreliable internet, lack of devices, and limited ability to participate in virtual engagement.
At the heart of Pueblo Studio’s methodology is Community Storytelling and Narrative Development. Through storytelling, portraiture, and relationship-centered conversations, residents shared how digital exclusion shapes their access to education, jobs, health information, and community life. These stories brought forward both the urgency of the issue and the community’s vision for a more connected future.
Working with four community partners, Pueblo Studio engaged more than 170 residents in accessible, community-friendly settings to understand the challenges, needs, and aspirations surrounding digital inclusion. Because the digital divide disproportionately impacts low-wealth communities of color, the planning process intentionally centered the voices of those most affected, ensuring their lived experiences guided the Roadmap’s vision, goals, and strategies. The resulting Roadmap reflects a broad, collaborative effort—rooted in community stories, equity, and collective impact—to ensure that everyone in Long Beach can fully participate in the digital world.
Services Provided
Story-based Strategy
EPIC Award: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Outreach
California Public Information Officials (2022)
